Top five emerging storylines for the Vegas Golden Knights a month into the season
The Vegas Golden Knights are atop the Pacific Division thanks to five storylines. What are these contributing factors?
Death, taxes, and Bruce Cassidy getting the Vegas Golden Knights off to a hot start. These are three things Benjamin Franklin said were inevitable (allegedly). These will come in due time, either causing joy or grief among the populace.
That's the case with the team starting the season, 10-4-2. They have 22 points and are in first place in the Pacific Division, despite injuries to key players like William Karlsson and Mark Stone. The team's seen superstars such as Tomas Hertl and Jack Eichel carry the load.
That led to the team winning their first eight home games. That's thanks to a high-powered attack tied for second in the NHL in goals per game (4.13). The Golden Knights are averaging five goals per game at home, an impressive mark that makes beating them in Las Vegas near impossible.
Of course, that hasn't been the only storyline fans have been subjected to. Sure, Eichel and company have carried their weight on even strength opportunities. That's why the former second-round pick is second in the NHL in assists (20). But it's also capitalizing on opportunities, specifically from the lower lines.
Names like Keegan Kolesar (four goals, four assists) and Brett Howden (six goals, one assist) have suddenly emerged as viable options. They've come through in clutch moments, giving the team crucial points. Take Howden's overtime goal against the Utah Hockey Club as a perfect example.
There's no doubt their contributions will get the Golden Knights a nice playoff spot if things stay the course. But Howden's not the only storyline that fans should watch for from the first month. Here are five more that should catch the eye of hockey fans throughout Las Vegas.
The Jack Eichel-led top line has been phenomenal for the Vegas Golden Knights
It's no secret the Vegas Golden Knights are 10-4-2 to start the 2024-25 season. They've gotten plenty of scoring from big names, ranging from Jack Eichel to Pavel Dorofeyev. But it's that Eichel-led group that has been phenomenal for the Golden Knights so far.
In 13 games this season, Eichel, Mark Stone, and Ivan Barbashev have produced 15 goals and allowed eight (according to Natural Stat Trick). That's good for a GF% of 65.22, showing how the group has gradually exceeded expectations.
Another example of this is the expected goals for (6.55) compared to goals against (6.96). The line's play has been more impressive when looked at from this scope. The group has sent up silky-smooth passes and have frustrated defenders in the process.
If the unit can stay together for the most part, the Golden Knights will be a Stanley Cup contender throughout the season. Their excellent play has carried over in other parts of the attack, including the special teams. How, you ask?
For the first time (ever!), the power play looks good
Some things in life aren't meant to mix. That ranges from oil and water to the Hatfields and McCoys. These things loathe each other or don't mix, leaving an eternal struggle for supremacy. The Vegas Golden Knights power play unit had this problem with being cohesive and great since the team's inception...
...That is, until now. Never in a million years would fans imagine the Golden Knights having the second-best power play in the NHL (32.6%), yet here we are. Even Jack Eichel and Mark Stone can't believe it.
Yet, it's true. You don't need Kurt Angle to tell you this when you have Tomas Hertl crashing the net for Vegas.
Vintage Tomas Hertl 🐢👏 pic.twitter.com/LoE8dautDJ
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) November 14, 2024
The role of Hertl on the man advantage is cutting in front of the net for a deflection or rebound. Often, he has a size advantage over his defenders. That leaves him "golden opportunities" for goals like the power play tally above, making him a valuable asset on the unit.
Of course, Hertl (four goals and three assists on the man advantage) isn't the only key factor. There's also Eichel (nine power play assists), Stone (two goals,six assists), and Shea Theodore (six assists). These superstars have done an excellent job running the unit, coordinating scoring opportunities and using their skills to their advantage. But let's focus on Theodore for a second...
Shea Theodore is showing he's worth every penny of his new extension
The focus of the offensive output has been on players such as Tomas Hertl, Stone, and Eichel. These forwards have done an excellent job creating scoring opportunities for the Vegas Golden Knights, whether it's fluid passing or pouncing on rebounds on the power play.
However, Theodore deserves some recognition for his contributions. Aside from quarterbacking the man advantage, he's also been an excellent running mate for the Golden Knights. He's scored 12 assists in 15 games, making him valuable to the attack.
That included two assists in Wednesday's game against his former team, the Anaheim Ducks. On that Hertl goal, he sets up Eichel near the point for a shot, which careens off Lukas Dostal towards Hertl. The Czech forward pounces on the loose puck for the lead. Theodore knows Hertl will cut in front of the net for the rebound, setting up Eichel for a scoring opportunity.
Small things like this are why Theodore earned a seven-year contract extension worth $51.975 million. He acts as a terrific complimentary player on the attack. That includes seeing how defenders set up and act, responding in kind. Expect more offensive fireworks from the blue-liner in the future.
The Vegas Golden Knights have scoring from unusual sources
As mentioned, the Golden Knights have relied on their top line to score a bulk of their goals. That's carried over to the power play, where the team suddenly has a formidable unit for the first time ever. However, one unexpected source has come from players originally on the fourth line.
That includes the aforementioned Brett Howden and Keegan Kolesar. These players have provided timely scoring for the Golden Knights, adding more scoring depth to the forward group.
Kolesar has done an excellent job forechecking and creating scoring opportunities for his linemates. That has led to key goals that has won games for the Golden Knights. Meanwhile, Howden has played more confidently, relying on his speed and newfound handles to create jaw-dropping goals.
In fact, his excellent play has earned him a spot on the second line, where the forward continues to flourish. Both Howden and Kolesar are free agents after this season, which will raise questions on if Kelly McCrimmon can afford the duo. If so, it'll help the lower lines develop a scoring acumen, making them more potent.
William Karlsson didn't miss a beat
William Karlsson started the 2024-25 season on the injured reserve, leaving the Vegas Golden Knights without a formidable penalty killer. It also left the team without a reliable scoring option in the middle of the lineup, where they looked vulnerable on paper. You can't just rely on Jack Eichel and Tomas Hertl to create offense, you know?
Still, that hasn't deterred the "Original Misfit" once he returned. The forward has scored two goals and four assists in eight games, including a short-handed goal. He looks as quick and offensively savvy as ever, making him a threat to score at any time.
Of course, the defensive play has also improved because of Karlsson. The Swedish center has no problems skating 200 feet of the ice as he looks for the open opportunity. That's made him valuable in the middle of the lineup, where he can get the Golden Knights in transition.
Certain players fit specific needs in the lineup, whether it's the elite center (Eichel), power play merchant (Hertl), or reliable two-way forward (Stone). But Karlsson brings a balanced act to the forward group, making him one of the most important pieces for Vegas.
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